Plans to increase passenger numbers at Stansted Airport from 15m to 25m a year have been approved.

On Thursday, Uttlesford District Council, based in Saffron Waldon, Essex, made the decision despite concerns of local villagers and environmental protestors.

The amount of travellers using the airport has increased by 300% over the past five years.

The Government has also put forward proposals for another three runways at the Essex airport, but no decision has been taken on this yet.

'Heritage destroyed'

On Thursday evening Uttlesford District Council issued a statement saying: "The planning application for increase to 25m passengers has been approved subject to the satisfactory completion of a legal agreement."

Trevor Allen, chairman of the parish council of Takeley, which is sited near the airport, said the decision to increase the number of passengers was expected.

He said he was keen to find out the details of the permission.

He criticised the way the plans had been rushed through over a four month period.

"We feel it was totally undemocratic," he said.

"The heritage of this area is very rich and it is being destroyed forever."

Bill Clark, the parish clerk of Felsted Parish Council, said villagers were backing a campaign against the expansion of Stansted.